Planning for a child’s future

Supporting a child’s education can be one of the most rewarding aspects of success and one of the most important elements in your financial plan. With rising inflation and the high cost of education, planning to contribute to another’s higher education may require an early start.

There are a variety of investment vehicles and tax-efficient options to contribute to the cost of higher education. As your trusted partner, our knowledge and professional guidance can help you analyze the tax benefits, ownership structure, risk and contribution limits involved – even what to do with your leftover education funds if your aspiring academic earns a scholarship.

529 College Savings Plan

When you invest in potential, you’ll do more than help make the dream of education possible for a student in your life. You could provide the inspiration for a legacy of higher learning that’s passed on for generations to come. What’s more, the funds you contribute have the ability to grow tax-deferred, and eventually be withdrawn, tax-free.*

Working together, we choose the investment strategy that is right for you and your student, keeping in mind that generous contribution limits do exist, regardless of income level.

* Certain conditions may apply. Earnings in 529 plans are not subject to federal tax, and in most cases, state tax, so long as you use withdrawals for eligible college expenses, such as tuition and room and board. However, if you withdraw money from a 529 plan and do not use it on an eligible college expense, you generally will be subject to income tax and an additional 10% federal tax penalty on earnings. Investors should consider before investing, whether their home states offer state tax or other benefits only available for investments in their home state’s 529 plans. 529 plans offered outside their resident state may not provide the same tax benefits as those offered within their state.

UGMA/UTMA Custodial Accounts

Although UGMA and UTMA accounts are not designed specifically for college savings, they offer advantages including multiple investment options, limited tax benefits and the ability for a parent to transfer assets to a child without needing to establish a more costly trust. However, contributions to the accounts are irrevocable and parents lose control of the funds when the child becomes 18 - 21 – an age that may vary by state. We help you navigate these considerations, providing solutions tailored to your funding needs.

Giving the gift of greater opportunity by supporting a child’s education can be one of the most rewarding aspects of success and one of the most important elements in your financial plan.

Raymond James financial advisors may only conduct business with residents of the states and/or jurisdictions for which they are properly registered. Therefore, a response to a request for information may be delayed. Please note that not all of the investments and services mentioned are available in every state. Investors outside of the United States are subject to securities and tax regulations within their applicable jurisdictions that are not addressed on this site. Contact our office for information and availability.

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